The Evolution of Useful Things

The Evolution of Useful Things
Author :
Publisher : Vintage
Total Pages : 304
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780307773050
ISBN-13 : 0307773051
Rating : 4/5 (051 Downloads)

Book Synopsis The Evolution of Useful Things by : Henry Petroski

Download or read book The Evolution of Useful Things written by Henry Petroski and published by Vintage. This book was released on 2010-12-01 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How did the table fork acquire a fourth tine? What advantage does the Phillips-head screw have over its single-grooved predecessor? Why does the paper clip look the way it does? What makes Scotch tape Scotch? In this delightful book Henry, Petroski takes a microscopic look at artifacts that most of us count on but rarely contemplate, including such icons of the everyday as pins, Post-its, and fast-food "clamshell" containers. At the same time, he offers a convincing new theory of technological innovation as a response to the perceived failures of existing products—suggesting that irritation, and not necessity, is the mother of invention.


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